Roadway joint seal assembly and end dam section

ABSTRACT

An end dam assembly for sealing a gap between adjacent roadway or deck slabs. Elongate end dam sections are assembled in an endto-end array. One of the end faces of a secton inclines at a predetermined angle to the vertical, and the other end face inclines at an angle slightly different from the predetermined angle so that when two like dam sections and one of each of the faces are butted together, a channel open at the top and converging downwardly is formed by the opposed end faces. The inclined portions of the opposed faces may terminate below the upper surface of an end dam section, with the end faces each including a vertical portion extending upwardly from the inclined portion to the upper surfaces of the adjacent end dam section.

nited States Patent [191 Czernik I [451 Aug. 6, 1974 ROADWAY JOINT SEAL ASSEMBLY AND END DAM SECTION [52] US. Cl. 404/67 [51] Int. Cl. E0lc 11/12 [58] Field of Search 404/39, 64, 65, 66, 67, 404/68, 69; 14/16; 52/396; 161/149; 156/258, 304

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 125,482 4/1872 Peyton 404/39 126,l7l 4/l872 140,835 7/l873 3,242,832 3/1966 3,363,522 l/l968 3,595,142 7/l97l 3,7l3,368 l/l973 McDowell et al. 404/67 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 355,469 8/196] Switzerland 404/65 Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. Holko Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT An end dam assembly for sealing a gap between adjacent roadway or deck slabs. Elongate end dam sections are assembled in an end-to-end array. One of the end faces of a secton inclines at a predetermined angle to the vertical, and the other end face inclines at an angle slightly different from the predetermined angle so that when two like dam sections and one of each of the faces are butted together, a channel open at the top and converging downwardly is formed by the opposed end faces. The inclined portions of the opposed faces may terminate below the upper surface of an end dam section, with the end faces each including a vertical portion extending upwardly from the inclined portion to the upper surfaces of the adjacent end dam section.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 5 974 PRIOR AR PM, 7

V PRIOR ART Fi e). 6

ROADWAY JOINT SEAL ASSEMBLY AND END DAM SECTION This invention relates to an improvement in an end dam assembly for sealing a narrow gap between adjacent roadway or deck slabs, and more particularly, to an end dam assembly having end dam sections with novel end faces to provide an improved joint between adjacent end dam sections.

A need has long existed in the art for end dam assemblies to seal gaps between adjacent roadway slabs. One solution to the problem has been set forth in the copending application of McDowell et al. entitled Road Joint Seal and End Dam Construction, Ser. No. 191,996, filed Oct. 26, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,713,368 issued on Jan. 30, 1973. In that application an end dam assembly for sealing the gap between adjacent slabs, such as pier supported elevated roadways in which relative movement of the road slabs occurs, is provided.

Because end dam assemblies of whatever type cannot conveniently be manufactured in lengths to accommodate the full lengths of roadway or deck slab gaps, end dam assemblies are normally comprised of a plurality of sections butted together in serial end-to-end array and are sealingly secured to each other. It is with an improved means for sealingly securing end dam sections to each other at their end faces that this invention is concerned.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved joint assembly is provided for a pair of generally horizontally disposed adjacent, slightly spaced elongate roadway slabs which are supported for relative movement and which provide upper roadway surfaces. The joint assembly includes an elongate end dam assembly sealingly secured to the slabs at adjacent edges for sealingly bridging the narrow gap between the slabs.

The end darn assembly comprises a plurality of elongated sections abutting in end-to-end serial array. Each of the sections comprises at least one elastomeric pad having an upper and lower surface and a face at each of the opposite longitudinal ends. Each end face is in opposed abutting relationship with an opposite end face of a next adjacent pad. The opposed faces have portions which form therebetween a channel converging downwardly. The channel is open near the upper pad surfaces but is closed therebelow and at some point above the lower surfaces where end face portions butt. The butting portions of the end faces below the channel provide an enhanced seal during assembly and one which remains positive despite loading of the joint and relative movement of the roadway slabs.

Each dam section according to the invention is comprised of an elongated elastomeric pad means having upper and lower surfaces as well as first and second faces at opposite ends thereof. The end faces define upper and lower portions. When end faces of adjacent pads are assembled end to end, and the lower portions are in butting sealing engagement, the upper portions are spaced and define an open, downwardly converging channel which extends from the upper pad surfaces to the lower portions. The lower portions positively engage each other across the entire width of the end faces to provide a positive seal at the adjacent end faces. The pad means may comprise a single pad member or a pair of parallel elongate pad members of the type disclosed in the aforementioned application.

Preferably, a portion of one of the opposed end faces is inclined at a first predetermined angle to the vertical, and a portion of the other of the opposed end faces is also inclined, but at an angle to the vertical which is slightly different from the first predetermined angle, thereby to provide the downwardly converging channel when opposite ends of a pair of like end dam sections are assembled. Uppermost portions of the end faces also preferably extend vertically upwardly from the inclined portions, thereby to eliminate a sharp or feather edge at the intersection of the upper surface and end face of an end dam section.

Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawing, of which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a section of a roadway structure incorporating an end dam assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an end dam section of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, of an assembly according to the prior art; and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate further embodiments of end dam sections of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a roadway joint assembly incorporating an elongated end dam assembly 1 of this invention. Although the joint is illustrated as being a transverse joint, i.e., a joint in which a transverse gap is sealed, of course, longitudinal and skewed gaps between adjacent relatively movable roadway slabs may also be sealed in accordance with this invention.

The end dam assembly comprises a plurality of elongate end dam sections 10. Each end dam section 10 includes elongated pad means comprising a pair of elongated side pads 11, each having an upper surface 12 which, when installed, acts as a portion of the upper roadway surface (see FIG. 5). Each pad 11 is sealingly secured to one of the generally horizontally disposed slabs S1, S2, and adjacent gap G, thereby to bridge the gap between the narrowly spaced slabs.

Side pads 11 are generally rectangular in crosssectional configuration (see FIG. 5) and are sealingly secured to each other, as by a gap-bridging joint membrane 14 which has an upstanding arched configuration. Preferably membrane 14 is integral with side pad 11 and is reinforced with a fabric layer. The end dam section is desirably integrally molded, as of neoprene rubber, and each of the side pads embeds an elongate metal reinforcing plate 16. Plates l6 define suitable bolt holes 17 to receive bolts for anchoring side pads 11 to the slabs, all in accordance with the disclosure of the aforementioned application.

End dam sections normally are joined in end-to-end serial array to form an end dam assembly by butting adjacent end faces against each other and by cementing them together across their widths to provide a seal therebetween. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate typical prior art end face configurations in which adjoining side pads have respective opposed, complementary end faces 40 and 42 which are butted together along their entire confronting surfaces of the end faces, i.e., across their entire widths and vertically from the top to the bottom of the confronting faces. In accordance with this invention the butting contact between confronting end faces is markedly reduced, yet the seal between adjacent pad sections is substantially enhanced. Each of the side pads provides end faces, designated as end faces 20 and 22 in the drawings.

End faces 20 and 22 define respective lower butting portions 21 and 23 and non-complementary upper portions which may comprise inclined segments 25, 26 and vertical segments 27, 28, each respectively. Preferably, the segments 25, 26, 27 and 28 are flat surfaces. Inclined segments 25, 26 extend upwardly from the lower portions 21, 23, which terminate downwardly adjacent the lower surfaces 15 of the side pads, and segments 25, 26 terminate upwardly at their points of intersection with vertical segments 27, 28. Vertical segments 27 and 28 extend from the lines of intersection with segments 25, 26 upwardly to the upper pad surface 11. Thus, the upper portion of the end faces 20 and 22 may be considered as comprising upper and lower planar or fiat surfaces which intersect in lines parallel to upper surface 11.

It is to be noted that the inclination angles of the lower inclined segments 25 and 26 are not quite complementary, i.e., inclined at slightly different angles to the vertical, unlike the situation in the prior art wherein dam section end faces have been made so that they mate and butt as perfectly as possible when butted end to end. This arrangement of the present invention may best be appreciated from FIG. 3, in which the inclinations of the respective inclined segments 25 and 26 of opposed end faces of a pair of end dam sections have been exaggerated slightly for purposes of illustration. As there seen the inclined lower segments 25 and 26 define an inclined channel section therebetween which taperingly converges gradually downwardly and which is open in its upper regions. The channel becomes narrower as the lower surface is approached until it closes at lower butting portions 21, 23 above the lower surfaces 15. At that point, when adjacent end portions of pads 10 are abutted, a zone of maximum sealing, but of reduced cross-section as compared to the entire confronting end faces, is obtained.

The vertical upper segments 27, 28 are also spaced apart and effectively comprise a vertical channel section which extends upwardly from the inclined channel section to the upper surfaces 12. Together the channel sections provide a channel across the entire width of the confronting end faces which effectively tapers downwardly to a point at which lower butting end face portions meet to provide a seal across the entire width of the confronting end faces. As such, the butting engagement is at an area substantially less in cross section than the full confronting cross-sectional area of the end faces, and preferably in the lower regions of the end faces making it possible to butt the ends more closely and to effect a seal between the end faces in the lower regions where it is most important to maintain a positive seal.

lndeed, after installation, when the joint is loaded, as by a vehicle passing across the end dam assembly, the sealed butt joint between adjoining dam sections is actually enhanced, because the downward pressure of the load tends to buckle the adjoining dam sections downwardly and to narrow the inclined downwardly tapering channel, making the butt joint between the adjacent sections even tighter. Even under loading forces which tend to buckle the butt joint upwardly, a positive seal is maintained, with the zone of maximum sealing merely tending to move somewhat downwardly.

Desirably a suitable adhesive, such as a neoprene adhesive 30, is interposed between the opposed end faces to enhance the seal. Further, it may be desirable to provide cooperating seal segments 44 and notches 46 at the bottom surfaces 15 to underlie and bridge the intersections between the opposed end faces. The segment and notch assembly improve the seal between adjacent end dam sections 10 and make the seal even more positive. The aforementioned application describes such segment and notch assemblies in greater detail.

The vertical segments 27, 28 provide a further advantage. The prior art typically, as illustrated by FIG. 7, provided end faces having a sharp protruding feather edge. Feather edges tend to promote dislodgment, as by snow plow blades, ruining installed end dam assemblies and the seals they were intended to provide. By providing vertical or square upper edges, without interfering with the provision of the channel or spacing between upper portions of the opposed end faces, the likelihood of accidental dislodgment or destruction of the seal provided by the end dam assembly is minimized.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate further end face configurations in accordance with this invention wherein lower portions of the end faces are in abutting engagement across the entire width of the end faces and upper portions of the end faces are in spaced relation and define a channel which converges and closes at the lower portions. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are all cross-sectional views and are taken at sections like FIG. 3.

In FIG. 8, the upper portions of the end faces are parallel and spaced to provide a channel and terminate downwardly in a converging short channel portion which terminates in the abutting lower end face portions. In FIG. 9, one end face is vertical, whereas the other is vertical in its lower portion and inclined at its upper portion, again defining a channel which converges downwardly toward the abutting lower end face portions.

In FIG. 10, the upper portions defining the channel are each inclined, whereas the lower portions are each particylindrical, one being convex and the mating abutting surface being concave.

In each case, the butting engagement between the end faces occurs well below the upper surfaces of the adjoining end dam sections, thereby limiting the area of contact to lower portions or regions of the end faces and to provide a more positive seal under all types of anticipated loading than is possible with end faces of the type illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, and without additional manufacturing cost. It should also be noted that this invention is applicable not only to pad means comprising a pair of side pads with a central gap bridging membrane, but also to end dams in which a unitary pad means is anchored at both sides of the gap and bridges the gap as well. The end faces of such pad means may also be configured in accordance with this invention to provide the advantages of this invention.

It should also be noted that the end faces of an end dam section may be different, as in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, or may be mirror images, as in FIG. 8. Further an end dam section having a first pair of mirror image end faces and a second end dam section having a second pair of mirror image end faces may be alternated in an array to provide appropriate channels and butting lower portions.

Other modifications will also become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification and drawings. Accordingly, the invention is intended to be limited only in accordance with the claims.

I claim:

1. A road joint assembly comprising a pair of generally horizontally disposed elongate adjacent slabs supported for relative movement, providing upper roadway surfaces and being positioned beside each other, said pair of slabs being narrowly spaced from each other to define a narrow gap therebetween, an elongate end dam assembly sealingly secured to said slabs at adjacent edges and sealingly bridging said gap, said end darn assembly comprising a plurality of elongate end dam sections abutting in end-to-end serial array, each of said end dam sections comprising a pair of elongated elastomeric pads each having an upper and a lower surface and a pair of end faces respectively at opposite ends, a thin elastomeric joint membrane secured to each of said side pads along their length and sealingly spanning the space between said pads and spanning said gap, said joint membrane being substantially thinner than said side pads and assuming an upstanding arched configuration in transverse cross-section, one of said end faces being in opposed relationship with an end face of a next adjacent pad, said opposed end faces having upper spaced non-complementary elastomeric portions across their widths which form therebetween a downwardly converging channel open near said upper pad surfaces, and lower elastomeric portions in firm butting engagement across the widths of said opposed end faces above said lower pad surfaces, said lower. butting elastomeric portions providing an area of firm and sealing butting contact substantially less than the areas of the confronting faces, providing thereby a more positively sealing elastomeric joint between and across the width of adjacent dam sections than if the entire end faces were to butt against each other across substantially the entire areas of the confronting end faces, and an adhesive disposed in the channel and between all portions of said end faces thereby to enhance the seal between the adjacent end faces, whereby under the downward pressure of vehicle loads the elastomeric joint becomes even tighter in the lower elastomeric portions.

2. A road joint assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which each pad provides one of said pair of noncomplementary end faces at each end so that opposite ends of like end dam sections may be positioned in said end-to-end serial array to provide said channel.

3. A road joint assembly as set forth in claim 2, in which at least a segment of the upper portion of one of the opposed faces is inclined at a first predetermined angle to the vertical and at least a segment of the upper portion of the other of said opposed faces is inclined at a second angle to the vertical which is slightly different from said first predetermined angle.

4. A road joint assembly as set forth in claim 3, in which said inclined segments of said opposed faces termiate below said upper surfaces in second upper segments which are generally vertical and which extend downwardly from said upper surfaces to said inclined segments and which are spaced apart from each other. 

1. A road joint assembly comprising a pair of generally horizontally disposed elongate adjacent slabs supported for relative movement, providing upper roadway surfaces and being positioned beside each other, said pair of slabs being narrowly spaced from each other to define a narrow gap therebetween, an elongate end dam assembly sealingly secured to said slabs at adjacent edges and sealingly bridging said gap, said end dam assembly comprising a plurality of elongate end dam sections abutting in end-to-end serial array, each of said end dam sections comprising a pair of elongated elastomeric pads each having an upper and a lower surface and a pair of end faces respectively at opposite ends, a thin elastomeric joint membrane secured to each of said side pads along their length and sealingly spanning the space between said pads and spanning said gap, said joint membrane being substantially thinner than said side pads and assuming an upstanding arched configuration in transverse cross-section, one of said end faces being in opposed relationship with an end face of a next adjacent pad, said opposed end faces having upper spaced non-complementary elastomeric portions across their widths which form therebetween a downwardly converging channel open near said upper pad surfaces, and lower elastomeric portions in firm butting engagement across the widths of said opposed end faces above said lower pad surfaces, said lower butting elastomeric portions providing an area of firm and sealing butting contact substantially less than the areas of the confronting faces, providing thereby a more positively sealing elastomeric joint between and across the width of adjacent dam sections than if the entire end faces were to butt against each other across substantially the entire areas of the confronting end faces, and an adhesive disposed in the channel and between all portions of said end faces thereby to enhance the seal between the adjacent end faces, whereby under the downward pressure of vehicle loads the elastomeric joint becomes even tighter in the lower elastomeric portions.
 2. A road joint assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which each pad provides one of said pair of non-complementary end faces at each end so that opposite ends of like end dam sections may be positioned in said end-to-end serial array to provide said channel.
 3. A road joint assembly as set forth in claim 2, in which at least a segment of the upper portion of one of the opposed faces is inclined at a first predetermined angle to the vertical and at least a segment of the upper portion of the other of said opposed faces is inclined at a second angle to the vertical which is slightly different from said first predetermined angle.
 4. A road joint assembly as set forth in claim 3, in which said inclined segments of said opposed faces termiate below said upper surfaces in second upper segments which are generally vertical and which extend downwardly from said upper surfaces to said inclined segments and which are spaced apart from each other. 